Free Advent (Advent Mage Cycle) by Honor Raconteur Page A

provoked.”
    “ I was just wondering if I have to act like a normal horse while I’m there or not.”
    “It would probably be wise not to push the issue,” Xiaolang advised sympathetically. “We’ll have Didi lay low as well.”
    Night gave a long-suffering sigh.
~*~
    Chahir, no surprise, was still hanging onto winter by its fingernails. There were traces of snow in the shadows, under trees, and right next to buildings, giving evidence of a recent snowfall. It was only in areas that received sunlight most of the day that the ground was clear.
    Still, the chill air was a mute testimony that spring hadn’t arrived yet.
    The past three days of travel to Farless hadn’t exactly been pleasant. We all had on multiple layers of shirts, sweaters and thick jackets. At night, we huddled under blankets with untraceable heating charms, product of Chatta’s foresight. Even with the layers and the blankets, the nights proved to be less than pleasant. The night wind had a talent for penetrating every layer we were wrapped in. I think the only reason why Hayate kept moving, instead of huddling around a fire like he wanted to, was because maintaining a steady pace kept him warm.
    I continued searching the area around me as we moved, trying to find anyone with magical abilities. It wasn’t until the morning that we crossed the border to Farless Province that my efforts were finally rewarded. I could barely detect the person, as they were a good twenty miles further along the road, but there was no doubt in my mind. This person felt just like Remcarparoden.
    Fire Mage.
    “Xiaolang!” I called to the front of the group.
    Xiaolang lifted himself up in the saddle so that he could see over everyone’s heads. “Did you find someone?”
    “Yes. Twenty miles, straight ahead. He or she is a Fire Mage.”
    Chatta’s head snapped around. “Are you sure?”
    “Positive. The magic feels just like Remcarparoden’s.” And that was a feeling that I could never forget. That blazing, molten feel of magic felt like an inferno.
    “Excellent,” Xiaolang purred. “Let’s pick up the pace, people. I want to find this kid before dark.”
    We went from a slow trot to a slightly faster one, matching Hayate’s speed. I kept my attention on our new Mage as we rode but it wasn’t until after a cold lunch—which was eaten in the saddle—that I was able to discern anything more. I could almost swear that the Mage was a boy, for one thing.
    And at that moment, his magic was being used.
    “Garth?” Chatta had a hand on my arm, catching my attention. “Is something wrong? You’re frowning.”
    “He’s using his magic,” I responded slowly.
    Her fingers tightened on my sleeve. “The Mage is?”
    “Yes. Not much is being used,” I hastily added before she jumped to any conclusions about burning cities. Our past experience linked Fire Mages with mass destruction, which couldn’t always be the case. History said that the Fire Mages were usually the most disciplined of all the Mages. “I’m not even sure if he’s doing it on purpose. His magic is definitely active right now, though.”
    Chatta still looked a little disturbed. I couldn’t blame her—I was a trifle disturbed myself. “How far away are we?”
    “Another eight miles, maybe?” It was hard to judge exact distance with just my magical sense.
    “I think we better speed up.” Chatta urged her mare into a brief sprint until she caught up with Xiaolang. I didn’t catch what she was saying, as the words weren’t loud enough to carry over the din of hoof beats, but I could hazard a guess. Xiaolang stiffened in alarm after the first sentence out of her mouth.
    I knew he was going to call me forward again to ask questions, so I silently urged Night to pick up the pace a bit. We’d barely caught up when Xiaolang turned to me and started firing off questions.
    “Are you sure? Is he under any danger of being discovered? Do you sense any Star Order Priests around?”
    I held up